Disk device with improved impact resistance

ABSTRACT

According to one embodiment, a disk device includes a magnetic disk, a load beam, a flexure, a head unit, and a first restrictor. The load beam has a first face facing the magnetic disk. The flexure is attached to the first face. The head unit includes: a magnetic head attached to the flexure, configured to read and write information from and to the magnetic disk; and a heat-assister attached to the magnetic head, configured to heat the magnetic disk. The first restrictor is included in the head unit, configured to come in contact with at least one of the load beam and the flexure along with movement of the magnetic head away from the first face by a first distance.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.17/007,012 filed on Aug. 31, 2020 and is based upon and claims thebenefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-044975,filed on Mar. 16, 2020; the entire contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to a disk device.

BACKGROUND

Disk devices are known, which read and write information from and to amagnetic disk by heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR). Such a HAMRdisk device includes a magnetic head to which a laser diode is attached,for example.

The magnetic head increases in mass due to the attached laser diode.This may cause the magnetic head to easily vibrate, for example, whenthe disk device receives an impact.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically illustrating a hard disk drive (HDD)according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a head gimbalassembly (HGA) of the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a part of theHGA of the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a part of theHGA of the first embodiment from a direction different from thedirection in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a part of the HGA of thefirst embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a head unit ofthe first embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an exampleof a method of mounting the head unit of the first embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a head unitaccording to a modification of the first embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a part of a HGA accordingto a second embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a head unitaccording to a first modification of the second embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a head unitaccording to a second modification of the second embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a part of aHGA according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a plan view schematically illustrating a part of a HGA 22according to a fourth embodiment; and

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a part ofthe HGA of the fourth embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to one embodiment, a disk device includes a magnetic disk, aload beam, a flexure, a head unit, and a first restrictor. The load beamhas a first face facing the magnetic disk. The flexure is attached tothe first face. The head unit includes: a magnetic head attached to theflexure, configured to read and write information from and to themagnetic disk; and a heat-assister attached to the magnetic head,configured to heat the magnetic disk. The first restrictor is includedin the head unit, configured to come in contact with at least one of theload beam and the flexure along with movement of the magnetic head awayfrom the first face by a first distance.

First Embodiment

Hereinafter, a first embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 7. In the present specification, constituent elements of anembodiment may be represented by different expressions and be givendifferent explanations. Such constituent elements and their descriptionsare presented for illustrative purpose only and are not intended tolimit the scope of the present invention. Constituent elements can alsobe identified by different names from those used in the presentspecification. Moreover, constituent elements can be described indifferent terms from the terms used in the present specification.

FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically illustrating a hard disk drive (HDD)10 according to the first embodiment. The HDD 10 is an example of a diskdevice. The disk device may be another device such as a hybrid HDD.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the HDD 10 includes a housing 11, a pluralityof magnetic disks 12, a spindle motor 13, a plurality of actuatorassemblies 14, a voice coil motor (VCM) 15, a ramp load mechanism 16,and a flexible printed wiring board (FPC) 17. FIG. 1 illustrates onemagnetic disk 12 and one actuator assembly 14. The magnetic disk 12 mayalso be referred to as a recording medium.

The housing 11 is formed of a metal such as an aluminum alloy, forexample. The housing 11 is sealed by a lid, for example, and is filledwith a gas such as helium. For the sake of explanation, FIG. 1illustrates the housing 11 in an opened state. The housing 11 houses themagnetic disk 12, the spindle motor 13, the actuator assembly 14, theVCM 15, the ramp load mechanism 16, and the FPC 17.

The magnetic disk 12 magnetically records information, applied with amagnetic field carrying the information. The magnetic disks 12 areplaced on the top of each other with spacing, and rotated by the spindlemotor 13 about a rotational shaft 13 a.

The actuator assembly 14 includes a carriage 21 and a plurality of headgimbal assemblies (HGA) 22. The HGA 22 may also be referred to as a headsuspension assembly.

The carriage 21 includes an actuator block 21 a and a plurality ofcarriage arms 21 b. The actuator block 21 a is driven by the VCM 15 andpivots about an arm shaft 21 c that is substantially parallel to therotational shaft 13 a. The plurality of carriage arms 21 b is arrangedwith spacing and extends from the actuator block 21 a in substantiallythe same direction. The carriage arms 21 b have a plate shape that canenter in-between the adjacent magnetic disks 12.

Along with the rotation of the actuator block 21 a, the carriage arms 21b move along the surface of the magnetic disk 12. In this manner, thecarriage 21 is movable relative to the magnetic disk 12.

The HGAs 22 are attached to the tip ends of the corresponding carriagearms 21 b and protrude from the carriage arms 21 b. The HGAs 22 are thusdisposed with spacing in the arrangement direction of the magnetic disks12.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the HGA 22 ofthe first embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 2, each of the HGAs 22includes a base plate 25, a hinge 26, a load beam 27, a flexure 28, anda head unit 29.

The base plate 25, the hinge 26, and the load beam 27 are formed ofstainless steel, for example. The materials of the base plate 25, thehinge 26, and the load beam 27 are not limited to this example.

The base plate 25 is attached to a tip end of the carriage arm 21 b. Theload beam 27 is of a plate shape thinner in thickness than the baseplate 25. The load beam 27 is attached to a tip end of the base plate 25via the hinge 26 having elasticity.

The flexure 28 has an elongated strip shape. The shape of the flexure 28is not limited to this example. The flexure 28 is a laminated plateincluding a metal plate (lining layer) such as stainless steel, aninsulating layer formed on the metal plate, a conductive layer forming aplurality of wiring arrangements (wiring patterns) on the insulatinglayer, and a protective layer (insulating layer) covering the conductivelayer, for example.

The head unit 29 is mounted on one end of the flexure 28. The other endof the flexure 28 is connected to the FPC 17. The FPC 17 serves toelectrically connect the head unit 29 and a controller located outsidethe housing 11, via the wiring of the flexure 28, for example.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a part of theHGA 22 of the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective viewschematically illustrating a part of the HGA 22 of the first embodimentfrom a direction different from the direction in FIG. 3. The head unit29 reads and writes, i.e., reproduces and records, information from andto the magnetic disk 12 by heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR).

The head unit 29 includes a magnetic head 31 illustrated in FIG. 3 and alaser unit 32 illustrated in FIG. 4. The laser unit 32 is an exemplaryheat-assister. The laser unit 32 can be referred as, for example, aheating device, heater, assister, irradiator, unit, or device or part.The laser unit 32 is attached to the magnetic head 31.

To read or write information from or to the magnetic disk 12 by the headunit 29, the carriage 21 is driven by the VCM 15 to place the head unit29 on a desired track of the rotating magnetic disk 12. The head unit 29reads and writes information from and to a desired track of the magneticdisk 12 as the magnetic disk 12 rotates.

To access the magnetic disk 12, the VCM 15 rotates or loads the headunit 29 on the magnetic disk 12. At the time of unloading which requiresno access to the magnetic disk 12, the VCM 15 rotates the head unit 29to the position of the ramp load mechanism 16 and stops the head unit 29there (unloading).

Hereinafter, the HGA 22 will be described in detail. The load beam 27extends substantially in the same direction as the carriage arm 21 b.The extending direction of the load beam 27 may be inclined with respectto the extending direction of the carriage arm 21 b.

In the present specification, an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis aredefined for the sake of convenience, as illustrated in the drawings. TheX-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis are orthogonal to one another. The Xaxis is along the length of the load beam 27. In other words, the X axisis parallel to the extending direction of the carriage arm 21 b and theload beam 27. The Y axis is along the width of the load beam 27. The Zaxis is along the thickness of the load beam 27.

X direction, Y direction and Z direction are defined in the presentspecification. The X direction is along the X axis, and includes a +Xdirection indicated by an arrow X and a −X direction opposite to thearrow X. The Y direction is along the Y axis and includes a +Y directionindicated by an arrow Y and a −Y direction opposite to the arrow Y. TheZ direction is along the Z axis and includes a +Z direction indicated byan arrow Z and a −Z direction opposite to the arrow Z.

The load beam 27 extends from the hinge 26 in the +X direction. The loadbeam 27 includes a tip end 27 a and a base end 27 b. The tip end 27 a isan end of the load beam 27 in the +X direction. The base end 27 b is anend of the load beam 27 in the −X direction. The −X direction is anexemplary second direction. The tip end 27 a and the base end 27 binclude not only the end or edge of the load beam 27 but also theportion in the vicinity of the end or edge. The base end 27 b isconnected to the carriage arm 21 b of the carriage 21 via the hinge 26and the base plate 25.

The load beam 27 has a substantially triangular plate shape. In the Ydirection the length or width of the load beam 27 shortens from the baseend 27 b toward the tip end 27 a. In other words, the load beam 27 istapered in the +X direction. The shape of the load beam 27 is notlimited to this example.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a part of the HGA 22 ofthe first embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the load beam 27 furtherincludes a lower face 41, an upper face 42, and a dimple 43. In thisdisclosure, the terms “upper” and “lower” are used for illustrativepurpose only with reference to FIG. 5, and are not intended to limit theposition, location, and direction of each element. The lower face 41 isan exemplary first surface. The upper surface 42 is an exemplary secondsurface.

The lower face 41 is substantially flat and faces the −Z direction. Atthe time of loading, the lower face 41 faces the corresponding magneticdisk 12 with spacing. At the time of unloading, the lower face 41 facesthe lower face 41 of another load beam 27 with spacing, for example. Theupper face 42 is opposite the lower face 41. The upper face 42 issubstantially flat and faces the +Z direction. The X direction and the Ydirection are along the lower face 41 and the upper face 42. The Zdirection is orthogonal to the lower face 41 and the upper face 42. Thedimple 43 is a substantially hemispherical protrusion protruding fromthe lower face 41.

The load beam 27 is provided with a first through-hole 45 and a secondthrough-hole 46. The first through-hole 45 is an exemplary hole. Thefirst through-hole 45 and the second through-hole 46 penetrate the loadbeam 27 and opens to the lower face 41 and the upper face 42,respectively. The first through-hole 45 and the second through-hole 46may be provided as cutouts.

The first through-hole 45 is separated from the dimple 43 in the +Xdirection. The second through-hole 46 is separated from the dimple 43 inthe −X direction. That is, the dimple 43 is located between the firstthrough-hole 45 and the second through-hole 46.

The first through-hole 45 is a substantially rectangular (quadrangular)hole extending in the X direction, for example. As illustrated in FIG.4, the second through-hole 46 has a substantially T-shape and includes awider part 46 a and a narrower part 46 b.

The wider part 46 a is a substantially rectangular or quadrangular partextending in the Y direction. The narrower part 46 b is a substantiallyrectangular or quadrangular part, extending in the +X direction from aY-directional center of the wider part 46 a. In the Y direction, thelength of the narrower part 46 b is shorter than the length of the widerpart 46 a.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the flexure 28 has a lower face 51 and anupper face 52. The upper face 52 is an exemplary third face. The lowerface 51 faces substantially the −Z direction. The upper face 52 facessubstantially the +Z direction. At least a part of the upper face 52 ofthe flexure 28 faces the lower face 41 of the load beam 27.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the flexure 28 further includes at least onestationary part 55, a gimbal (elastic support) 56, and a tab 57. Thegimbal 56 is an exemplary elastic part. The tab 57 is an exemplarysecond restrictor. The stationary part 55, the gimbal 56, and the tab 57are part of the flexure 28. The stationary part 55 and the gimbal 56each partially have the lower face 51 and the upper face 52.

The upper face 52 of the stationary part 55 contacts with the lower face41 of the load beam 27. The stationary part 55 is fixed to the lowerface 41 of the load beam 27 by spot welding, for example. As a result,the flexure 28 is attached to the lower face 41 of the load beam 27.

The gimbal 56 is located in the vicinity of the tip end 27 a of the loadbeam 27. The gimbal 56 is connected to the stationary part 55 and iselastically movable with respect to the load beam 27 and the stationarypart 55.

For example, the gimbal 56 includes a tongue 56 a and two arms 56 b. Themagnetic head 31 of the head unit 29 is attached to the lower face 51 ofthe tongue 56 a. The upper face 52 of the tongue 56 a is swingablysupported by the dimple 43. The two arms 56 b extend from the+Z-directional end of the tongue 56 a so as to surround the tongue 56 a,and are connected to the stationary part 55 that is apart from thetongue 56 a in the −X direction.

Elastic deformation of the two arms 56 b enables the tongue 56 a and thehead unit 29 to swing around the dimple 43 or move away from the lowerface 41 of the load beam 27. The tongue 56 a is generally maintained incontact with the dimple 43 by the elastic force of the arm 56 b.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the tab 57 includes an insertion 57 a and twoextensions 57 b. The insertion 57 a extends from the −X directional endof the tongue 56 a through the narrower part 46 b of the secondthrough-hole 46. The extension 57 b extends from the tip end of theinsertion 57 a in the Y direction. The extension 57 b partially coversthe upper face 42 of the load beam 27 in the Z direction. Thus, the loadbeam 27 is located between the extension 57 b and the tongue 56 a in theZ direction.

The extension 57 b is generally separated from the upper face 42 of theload beam 27 in the +Z direction. For example, due to an impact appliedto the HDD 10, the tongue 56 a and the head unit 29 may move away fromthe lower face 41 of the load beam 27 and the dimple 43.

Along with the movement of the magnetic head 31 of the head unit 29 awayfrom the lower face 41 by a given distance, the extension 57 b of thetab 57 comes in contact with the upper face 42 of the load beam 27.Thereby, the tab 57 works to restrict the magnetic head 31 from movingfurther from the lower face 41 beyond the given distance. The givendistance is an exemplary second distance. The extension 57 b may come incontact with the upper face 52 of the stationary part 55 of the flexure28.

The tab 57 is formed by bending a part of the flexure 28, for example.At the time of bending the tab 57, the insertion 57 a passes through thenarrower part 46 b of the second through-hole 46 while the extension 57b passes through the wider part 46 a of the second through-hole 46. Thetab 57 is not limited to this example, and may be another componentattached to the flexure 28.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the magnetic head 31 has a substantiallyrectangular parallelepiped shape. The magnetic head 31 includes a firstend 31 a and a second end 31 b. The first end 31 a is an end of themagnetic head 31 in the −X direction. The second end 31 b is an end ofthe magnetic head 31 in the +X direction. The +X direction is anexemplary third direction. The second end 31 b is opposite the first end31 a.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the magnetic head 31 further includes anopposing face 61 and a mounting face 62. At the time of loading, theopposing face 61 faces the corresponding magnetic disk 12. The mountingface 62 is opposite the opposing face 61, and is attached to the lowerface 51 of the tongue 56 a with an adhesive, for example.

At the time of loading, each magnetic head 31 reads or writesinformation from or to the magnetic disk 12 while maintained in aslightly lifted state from the surface of the magnetic disk 12 by thelift occurring from the rotation of the magnetic disk 12. That is,during loading, the opposing face 61 is slightly away from the magneticdisk 12. Airflow is caused by the rotation of the magnetic disk 12,flows in-between the magnetic disk 12 and the magnetic head 31 from thevicinity of the first end 31 a, and exits from the vicinity of thesecond end 31 b to the outside.

The magnetic head 31 further includes a write element 65 and a readelement 66. The write element 65 may also be referred to as amagnetic-field generating element. The read element 66 may also bereferred to as a reproducing element. The write element 65 is locatedcloser to the second end 31 b than the read element 66.

The magnetic field generated by the write element 65 works to magnetizea magnetic recording layer of the magnetic disk 12 in a given direction,allowing information to be recorded thereon. The read element 66 readsthe recorded information from the magnetic disk 12. In this manner, theread element 66 and the write element 65 of the magnetic head 31 readsand writes from and to the magnetic disk 12.

The laser unit 32 is attached to the mounting face 62 of the magnetichead 31. The laser unit 32 emits laser light L to a micro area,containing the information, on the magnetic recording layer of themagnetic disk 12 to heat the micro area. The heated micro area lowers incoercive force and becomes easier to have information recorded thereon.The laser unit 32 includes an outer shell 71 and an optical device 72.The outer shell 71 can also be referred to as a housing, a container, acase, or a cover, for example.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the head unit 29of the first embodiment. The outer shell 71 is formed of metal and has asubstantially rectangular parallelepiped box shape, for example. Theouter shell 71 includes a lower face 71 a, an upper face 71 b, a firstend face 71 c, a second end face 71 d illustrated in FIG. 5, and twoside faces 71 e illustrated in FIG. 6.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the lower face 71 a faces the −Z direction.The lower face 71 a is fixed to the mounting face 62 of the magnetichead 31 with an adhesive, for example. The upper face 71 b is oppositethe lower face 71 a, facing the +Z direction.

The first end face 71 c is an end face of the outer shell 71 in the −Xdirection. The second end face 71 d is opposite the first end face 71 c.The second end face 71 d is an end face of the outer shell 71 in the +Xdirection. The side faces 71 e are both end faces of the outer shell 71in the Y direction.

The laser unit 32 includes a base 32 a. The base 32 a includes the outershell 71 and the optical device 72. The base 32 a is attached to themagnetic head 31 in the vicinity of the second end 31 b. In other words,the base 32 a is attached to the magnetic head 31 at a position closerto the second end 31 b than to the first end 31 a.

The base 32 a protrudes from the second end 31 b of the magnetic head 31in the X direction. Thus, the second end 31 b of the magnetic head 31 islocated between the first end face 71 c and the second end face 71 d ofthe outer shell 71 in the X direction. That is, part of the lower face71 a is not fixed to the magnetic head 31 but exposed. A part of theexposed lower face 71 a faces the corresponding magnetic disk 12 duringloading.

The base 32 a is attached to the mounting face 62 of the magnetic head31 such that the base 32 a extends from the mounting face 62 insubstantially the Z direction. Substantially the Z direction intersectsthe lower face 41, and is an exemplary extending direction. The base 32a extends from the mounting face 62 in substantially the Z direction soas to pass through the first through-hole 45. In other words, the base32 a is attached to the mounting face 62 of the magnetic head 31 suchthat the base 32 a can pass through the first through-hole 45.Substantially the Z direction is not limited to the longitudinaldirection of the base 32 a.

A part of the base 32 a protrudes from the lower face 41 of the loadbeam 27 in the −Z direction through the first through-hole 45. Anotherpart of the base 32 a protrudes from the upper face 42 of the load beam27 in the +Z direction through the first through-hole 45. The base 32 ais separated from the edge of the load beam 27 defining the firstthrough-hole 45 and the rest of the load beam 27.

The optical device 72 is housed in the outer shell 71. The opticaldevice 72 includes a laser oscillation element and a lens, for example.The optical device 72 is not limited to this example. The optical device72 is configured to emit laser light L from the exposed lower face 71 aof the outer shell 71 to the magnetic disk 12. The laser light L is anexample of light.

The optical device 72 is not limited to this example. For example, theoptical device 72 may include a near-field light generating member thatconverts the laser light L into near-field light. In this case,near-field light is an example of light. The optical device 72 canirradiate and heat the magnetic disk 12 with near-field light.

As described above, the heat-assister exemplified by the laser unit 32irradiates the magnetic disk 12 with the laser light L or the near-fieldlight to thereby heat a micro area of the magnetic disk 12 and lower thecoercive force of the micro area. The heat-assister is not limited tothis example, and the magnetic disk 12 may be heated by other means. Forexample, the heat-assister may irradiate the magnetic disk 12 with anenergy ray or infrared light. The heat-assister may heat the magneticdisk 12 by thermal conduction or thermal radiation.

The laser unit 32 is provided with a protrusion 75. The protrusion 75 isan exemplary first restrictor. In the first embodiment, the protrusion75 is located away from the upper face 42 of the load beam 27 in the +Zdirection, protruding in the +X direction from the second end face 71 dof the outer shell 71. In other words, the protrusion 75 protrudes fromthe base 32 a in the +Z direction. The +X direction intersectssubstantially the Z direction, and is an example of first direction andprotruding direction.

The protrusion 75 partially covers the upper face 42 of the load beam 27in the Z direction (substantially Z direction). In other words, theprotrusion 75 and a part of the load beam 27 are at the same position inthe X direction. The load beam 27 is located between the protrusion 75and the tongue 56 a in the Z direction.

In the +X direction (X direction), the total length of the laser unit 32and the protrusion 75 is shorter than the length of the firstthrough-hole 45. In other words, in the X direction, the sum of thedistance between the first end face 71 c and the second end face 71 d ofthe outer shell 71 and the length of the protrusion 75 is shorter thanthe length of the first through-hole 45.

In the Y direction, the length of the laser unit 32 is shorter than thelength of the first through-hole 45. In the Y direction, the length ofthe protrusion 75 is shorter than the length of the first through-hole45. In the Y direction, the protrusion 75 may be the same as ordifferent in length from the laser unit 32.

The part of the laser unit 32 including the protrusion 75 is larger incross-sectional area orthogonal to substantially the Z direction thanthe part of the laser unit 32 passing through the first through-hole 45.In other words, the cross-sectional area of the base 32 a and theprotrusion 75 orthogonal to substantially the Z direction is larger thanthe cross-sectional area of the base 32 a orthogonal to substantiallythe Z direction. In the present embodiment, the area of the upper face71 b of the outer shell 71 including the protrusion 75 is larger thanthe area of the lower face 71 a of the outer shell 71.

The protrusion 75 is generally separated from the upper face 42 of theload beam 27 in the +Z direction. Due to an impact applied to the HDD10, for example, the tongue 56 a and the head unit 29 may move away fromthe lower face 41 of the load beam 27 and the dimple 43.

Along with the movement of the magnetic head 31 of the head unit 29 awayfrom the lower face 41 by a given distance, the protrusion 75 comes incontact with the upper face 42 of the load beam 27. Thereby, theprotrusion 75 serves to restrict the magnetic head 31 from movingfurther from the lower face 41 beyond the given distance. The givendistance is an exemplary first distance. The protrusion 75 may come incontact with the upper face 52 of the stationary part 55 of the flexure28.

As described above, at two separate positions in the X direction, theprotrusion 75 and the tab 57 restrict the magnetic head 31 from movingaway from the lower face 41 beyond the given distance. The tab 57 isapart from the protrusion 75 in the −X direction. The dimple 43 islocated between the tab 57 and the protrusion 75 in the X direction. Thefirst distance and the second distance may be the same or different fromeach other.

Hereinafter, an assembly method of the HGA 22 as a part of amanufacturing method of the HDD 10 will be described by way of example.The manufacturing method of the HDD 10 is not limited to the followingmethod, and other methods may be used. First, the stationary part 55 ofthe flexure 28 is fixed to the lower face 41 of the load beam 27 by spotwelding.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an exemplarymounting method of the head unit 29 of the first embodiment. Asillustrated in FIG. 7, the laser unit 32 is mounted in advance to themagnetic head 31. For example, the magnetic head 31 and the laser unit32 are individually inspected to determine if they meet the qualitystandard. The magnetic head 31 and the laser unit 32 having passed theinspection are joined together. The inspection is not limited to thisexample.

The magnetic head 31 is then placed close to the lower face 51 of theflexure 28, so that the laser unit 32 passes through the firstthrough-hole 45. The laser unit 32 including the protrusion 75 issmaller in size than the first through-hole 45 in the X direction andthe Y direction. Thus, the laser unit 32 can pass through the firstthrough-hole 45.

FIG. 7 illustrates a virtual head unit 29 before the laser unit 32passes through the first through-hole 45, by the chain double-dashedline, and the head unit 29 after the laser unit 32 has passed throughthe first through-hole 45, by the solid line. As illustrated in FIG. 7,at the time when the laser unit 32 has passed through the firstthrough-hole 45, the protrusion 75 partially covers the firstthrough-hole 45 but does not cover the upper face 42 of the load beam27.

Next, the head unit 29 is moved in the +X direction coinciding with theprotruding direction of the protrusion 75 from the outer shell 71. Bythis movement, the protrusion 75 partially covers the upper face 42 ofthe load beam 27, as illustrated in FIG. 5. The mounting face 62 of themagnetic head 31 is attached to the flexure 28 while the protrusion 75partially covers the upper face 42. The HGA 22 is assembled in themanner as described above.

In the HDD 10 according to the first embodiment described above, thelaser unit 32 is attached to the magnetic head 31 to heat the magneticdisk 12. This increases the weight of the head unit 29 including themagnetic head 31. Because of the weight increase, the head unit 29 mayeasily vibrate and move away from the lower face 41 if the HDD 10receives an impact. In the present embodiment, however, the head unit 29is provided with the protrusion 75. The protrusion 75 serves to restrictfurther movement of the magnetic head 31 from the lower face 41 beyondthe given distance by coming in contact with at least one of the loadbeam 27 and the flexure 28, if the magnetic head 31 moves away from thelower face 41 by the given distance. That is, the head unit 29, which islikely to vibrate due to the added mass of the laser unit 32, isprovided with the protrusion 75 serving to restrict the vibration beyondthe given distance. This makes it possible to restrict the magnetic head31 from moving away from the lower face 41 beyond a given distance inthe heat assisted recording HDD 10 incorporating the laser unit 32.Thus, the magnetic head 31 can be prevented from colliding with theopposing magnetic head 31, for example. Furthermore, the magnetic head31 can be less hindered from being lifted by the plastic deformation ofa vibrating gimbal 56 caused by an impact. Consequently, the HDD 10 canbe improved in impact resistance.

The protrusion 75 can also be described as follows. That is, theprotrusion 75 protrudes from the base 32 a of the laser unit 32 in the+X direction to partially cover at least one of the load beam 27 and theflexure 28 in substantially the Z direction. Because of this, theprotrusion 75 can restrict the magnetic head 31 having moved at thegiven distance in the −Z direction from moving further from the lowerface 41 beyond the given distance by coming in contact with the at leastone of the load beam 27 and the flexure 28. It is thus possible toprevent the magnetic head 31 from colliding with the opposing magnetichead 31, for example, leading to improving impact resistance of the HDD10.

The load beam 27 has an upper face 42 opposite to the lower face 41 andis provided with the first through-hole 45. The flexure 28 has the upperface 52 facing the lower face 41. The laser unit 32 is attached to themagnetic head 31 such that the laser unit 32 can pass through the firstthrough-hole 45. The laser unit 32 includes the protrusion 75 thatpartially covers at least one of the upper face 42 of the load beam 27and the upper face 52 of the flexure 28. Thereby, the protrusion 75comes in contact with and is supported by at least one of the upperfaces 42 and 52 along with the movement of the magnetic head 31 awayfrom the lower face 41 by a given distance. That is, as compared withusing other means such as friction, the protrusion 75, which restrictsthe movement of the magnetic head 31 by supporting, can ensure that themagnetic head 31 is prevented from moving apart from the lower face 41beyond a given distance. Furthermore, the protrusion 75 of the laserunit 32 serves to restrict the magnetic head 31 to which the laser unit32 is attached, from moving away from the load beam 27. This can furtherensure that the magnetic head 31 is prevented from moving apart from thelower face 41 beyond a given distance, as compared with restricting themovement of the magnetic head 31 at a position far from the laser unit32.

The protrusion 75 protrudes from the outer shell 71 of the laser unit32. This facilitates the design of the protrusion 75 serving as thefirst restrictor that restricts the movement of the magnetic head 31beyond a given distance.

The protrusion 75 protrudes from the outer shell 71 in the +X directionalong the lower face 41. In the +X direction, the total length of thelaser unit 32 and the protrusion 75 is shorter than the length of thefirst through-hole 45. This allows the laser unit 32 to pass through thefirst through-hole 45 in attaching the magnetic head 31 to which thelaser unit 32 is attached in advance to the flexure 28. This facilitatesthe manufacturing of the HDD 10.

The Y-directional width of the load beam 27 tapers in the +X direction.The protrusion 75 protrudes from the outer shell 71 in the +X direction.This makes it easier to form the first through-hole 45 long in the Xdirection in the load beam 27.

The protrusion 75 partially covers the upper face 42 of the load beam 27and comes in contact with the upper face 42 to restrict the magnetichead 31, having moved away from the lower face 41 by the given distance,from moving further from the lower face 41 beyond the given distance.That is, the protrusion 75 is in contact with and supported by the loadbeam 27. With this configuration, the protrusion 75 can further ensurethat the magnetic head 31 is prevented from moving apart from the lowerface 41 beyond the given distance, as compared with the protrusion 75supported by an elastically deformable portion of the flexure 28.

A base end 27 b is an end of the load beam 27 in the −X direction and isdirectly or indirectly connected to the carriage 21. The magnetic head31 includes the first end 31 a in the −X direction and the second end 31b in the +X direction opposite to the −X direction. The laser unit 32 isattached to the magnetic head 31 at a position closer to the second end31 b than to the first end 31 a. That is, the laser unit 32 is attachedto the magnetic head 31 in the vicinity of the tip of the HGA 22.Because of this, an impact applied to the HDD 10 may cause the head unit29 to easily vibrate and move away from the lower face 41. In thepresent embodiment, however, the head unit 29 is provided with theprotrusion 75, as described above, which makes it possible to restrictthe magnetic head 31 from moving away from the lower face 41 beyond agiven distance.

The tab 57 is included in the flexure 28 apart from the protrusion 75 inthe −X direction. Along with the movement of the magnetic head 31 awayfrom the lower face 41 by a given distance, the tab 57 comes in contactwith at least one of the load beam 27 and the flexure 28 and therebyrestricts the magnetic head 31 from moving further from the lower face41 beyond the given distance. That is, at two separate positions in theX direction, the protrusion 75 and the tab 57 function to restrict themovement of the magnetic head 31. This can ensure that the magnetic head31 is prevented from moving apart from the lower face 41 beyond a givendistance.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the head unit 29according to a modification of the first embodiment. As illustrated inFIG. 8, the protrusion 75 may protrude from the side face 71 e of theouter shell 71 in the +Y direction or the −Y direction. In other words,the protrusion 75 may protrude from the base 32 a of the laser unit 32in the +Y direction or the −Y direction. In this case, in the Ydirection, the total length of the laser unit 32 and the protrusion 75is set at least partially shorter than the length of the firstthrough-hole 45.

Second Embodiment

Hereinafter, a second embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 9. In the following embodiments, constituent elements withfunctions similar to the functions of the already-described elements,are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof maybe omitted. Constituent elements denoted by the same reference numeralmay not have the same function or property but may have differentfunctions and properties according to the respective embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view illustrating a part of the HGA 22 accordingto the second embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 9, in the secondembodiment, the protrusion 75 protrudes in the +X direction from thesecond end face 71 d of the outer shell 71. In the +X direction (Xdirection), the total length of the laser unit 32 and the protrusion 75is longer than the length of the first through-hole 45. In other words,in the X direction, the sum of the distance between the first end face71 c and the second end face 71 d of the outer shell 71 and the lengthof the protrusion 75 is longer than the length of the first through-hole45.

Meanwhile, in the +X direction (X direction) the length of the laserunit 32 is shorter than the length of the first through-hole 45. Inother words, in the X direction, the distance between the first end face71 c and the second end face 71 d of the outer shell 71 is shorter thanthe length of the first through-hole 45. The laser unit 32 is separatedfrom the edge of the load beam 27 defining the first through-hole 45 andthe rest of the load beam 27.

The following will describe an assembly method of the HGA 22 as a partof the manufacturing method of the HDD 10 according to the secondembodiment by way of example. First, the stationary part 55 of theflexure 28 is fixed to the lower face 41 of the load beam 27 by spotwelding.

Next, before attachment of the laser unit 32, the mounting face 62 ofthe magnetic head 31 having passed the inspection is attached to theflexure 28. Next, the laser unit 32 having passed the inspection isplaced close to the mounting face 62 of the magnetic head 31 through thefirst through-hole 45. FIG. 9 illustrates a virtual laser unit 32 beforepassing through the first through-hole 45, by the chained double-dashedline, and the laser unit 32 after passing through the first through-hole45, by the solid line.

The laser unit 32 excluding the protrusion 75 is smaller in size thanthe first through-hole 45 in the X direction and the Y direction. Thus,the laser unit 32 can pass through the first through-hole 45.

Next, the laser unit 32 is attached to the mounting face 62 of themagnetic head 31 with the protrusion 75 partially covering the upperface 42 of the load beam 27. The HGA 22 is assembled in the manner asdescribed above.

In the HDD 10 of the second embodiment described above, the protrusion75 protrudes from the outer shell 71 in the +X direction along the lowerface 41. In the +X direction, the total length of the laser unit 32 andthe protrusion 75 is longer than the length of the first through-hole45. In the +X direction, the length of the laser unit 32 is shorter thanthe length of the first through-hole 45. That is, the protrusion 75 canreliably contact with at least one of the load beam 27 and the flexure28 along with the movement of the magnetic head 31 away from the lowerface 41 by a given distance. Moreover, the size of the firstthrough-hole 45 can be reduced. In manufacturing the HDD 10 of thepresent embodiment, the magnetic head 31 is attached to the flexure 28in advance, and the laser unit 32 is then attached to the magnetic head31 such that the laser unit 32 passes through the first through-hole 45.This makes it possible to avoid complication of the manufacturing of theHDD 10.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the head unit29 according to a first modification of the second embodiment. FIG. 11is a perspective view schematically illustrating the head unit 29according to a second modification of the second embodiment. Asillustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the head unit 29 may include a pluralityof protrusions 75. In the examples of FIGS. 10 and 11, two protrusions75 protrude from the outer shell 71 of the base 32 a.

In the example of FIG. 10, one of the protrusions 75 protrudes in the +Xdirection from the first end face 71 c of the outer shell 71 of the base32 a. The other protrusion 75 protrudes in the −X direction from thesecond end face 71 d of the outer shell 71 of the base 32 a. In the Xdirection, the total length of the laser unit 32 and the two protrusions75 is set shorter than the length of the first through-hole 45.

In the example of FIG. 11, the two protrusions 75 protrude in the Ydirection from the two side faces 71 e of the outer shell 71 of the base32 a. In this case, the total length of the laser unit 32 and the twoprotrusions 75 is set shorter than the length of the first through-hole45 in the Y direction.

Third Embodiment

Hereinafter, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.12. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a partof the HGA 22 according to the third embodiment. As illustrated in FIG.12, in the third embodiment, the HDD 10 further includes a restrictingmember 81 instead of the protrusion 75. The restricting member 81 is anexemplary first restrictor. The HDD 10 may include both the protrusion75 and the restricting member 81.

The restricting member 81 is formed of metal and has a plate shape, forexample. The material and shape of the restricting member 81 are notlimited to this example. The restricting member 81 is attached to theupper face 71 b of the outer shell 71 with an adhesive, for example.

A part of the restricting member 81 protrudes in the +X direction fromthe second end face 71 d of the outer shell 71, for example. Therestricting member 81 partially covers the upper face 42 of the loadbeam 27 in the Z direction.

In the X direction, the distance between the first end face 71 c of theouter shell 71 and an end face 81 a of the restricting member 81 in the+X direction is longer than the length of the first through-hole 45.Meanwhile, in the +X direction (X direction), the length of the laserunit 32 is shorter than the length of the first through-hole 45. Inother words, in the X direction, the distance between the first end face71 c and the second end face 71 d of the outer shell 71 is shorter thanthe length of the first through-hole 45. The laser unit 32 and therestricting member 81 are separated from the edge of the load beam 27defining the first through-hole 45 and the rest of the load beam 27.

For example, an impact applied to the HDD 10 may cause the tongue 56 aand the head unit 29 to move away from the lower face 41 of the loadbeam 27 and the dimple 43. Along with the movement of the magnetic head31 of the head unit 29 away from the lower face 41 by a given distance,the restricting member 81 comes in contact with the upper face 42 of theload beam 27. Thereby, the restricting member 81 can restrict themagnetic head 31 from moving away from the lower face 41 beyond thegiven distance. The given distance is an exemplary first distance. Therestricting member 81 may come in contact with the upper face 52 of thestationary part 55 of the flexure 28.

Hereinafter, an assembly method of the HGA 22 as a part of themanufacturing method of the HDD 10 according to the third embodimentwill be described by way of example. First, the stationary part 55 ofthe flexure 28 is fixed to the lower face 41 of the load beam 27 by spotwelding. Next, the mounting face 62 of the magnetic head 31 is attachedto the flexure 28.

The laser unit 32 may be attached in advance to the magnetic head 31, ormay be attached to the magnetic head 31 attached to the flexure 28. Thelaser unit 32 passes through the first through-hole 45 when the magnetichead 31 is placed closer to the flexure 28 or when the laser unit 32 isplaced closer to the mounting face 62 of the magnetic head 31.

Next, the restricting member 81, while partially covering the upper face42 of the load beam 27, is attached to the upper face 71 b of the outershell 71. FIG. 12 illustrates a virtual restricting member 81 beforebeing attached to the laser unit 32, by the chained double-dashed, andthe restricting member 81 after being attached to the laser unit 32, bythe solid line. The HGA 22 is assembled in the manner as describedabove.

In the HDD 10 of the third embodiment described above, the restrictingmember 81 is attached to the outer shell 71 of the laser unit 32. Thiscan facilitate the manufacturing of the laser unit 32 including thefirst restrictor without forming the first restrictor such as therestricting member 81 and the laser unit 32 in a unified manner.

Fourth Embodiment

Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS. 13 and 14. FIG. 13 is a plan view schematically illustrating apart of the HGA 22 according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 14 is asectional view schematically illustrating a part of the HGA 22 of thefourth embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, the load beam 27 of the fourth embodiment isprovided with a first through-hole 91 instead of the first through-hole45. The first through-hole 91 penetrates the load beam 27 and opens tothe lower face 41 and the upper face 42.

The flexure 28 of the fourth embodiment further includes a stationarypart 95 in addition to the stationary part 55 of the first embodiment.As with the stationary part 55, the stationary part 95 is a part of theflexure 28. The stationary part 95 partially has a lower face 51 and anupper face 52.

The upper face 52 of the stationary part 95 comes in contact with thelower face 41 of the load beam 27. The stationary part 95 is fixed tothe lower face 41 of the load beam 27 at a welding spot S by spotwelding, for example.

The stationary parts 55 and 95 include, for example, a metal plate suchas stainless steel. The stationary parts 55 and 95 have higher rigiditythan the arm 56 b. One of the stationary parts 55 is separated from thetongue 56 a in the −X direction, as in the first embodiment. The otherstationary part 95 is separated from the tongue 56 a in the +Xdirection. That is, the tongue 56 a is located between the twostationary parts 55.

In the fourth embodiment, the arm 56 b serves to connect the tongue 56 aand the two stationary parts 55 and 95. The elastic deformation of thearm 56 b allows the tongue 56 a and the head unit 29 to move withrespect to the dimple 43, the load beam 27, and the two stationary parts55 and 95.

As illustrated in FIG. 14, the laser unit 32 is attached to the mountingface 62 of the magnetic head 31 such that the laser unit 32 can passthrough the first through-hole 91. The laser unit 32 is separated fromthe edge of the load beam 27 defining the first through-hole 91 and fromthe rest of the load beam 27. The first through-hole 91 exposes at leasta part of the upper face 52 of the stationary part 95. The laser unit 32is also separated from the stationary part 95.

The protrusion 75 partially covers the first through-hole 91 but doesnot cover the upper face 42 of the load beam 27. Furthermore, theprotrusion 75 partially covers the upper face 52 of the stationary part55 of the flexure 28 in the Z direction (substantially Z direction). Theprotrusion 75 may partially cover both the upper face 42 of the loadbeam 27 and the upper face 52 of the stationary part 55 of the flexure28 in the Z direction.

In the +X direction (X direction), the total length of the laser unit 32and the protrusion 75 is shorter than the distance between thestationary part 95 and an edge 91 a of the first through-hole 91. Theedge 91 a is located at the end of the first through-hole 91 in the −Xdirection and extends in substantially the Y direction. The protrudingdirection of the protrusion 75 and the size of the first through-hole 91are not limited to this example, and may be designed in various mannerssuch as in the second to third embodiments. Furthermore, the HDD 10 ofthe fourth embodiment may include the restricting member 81 of the thirdembodiment instead of the protrusion 75.

In the fourth embodiment, an impact applied to the HDD 10, for example,may cause the tongue 56 a and the head unit 29 to move away from thelower face 41 of the load beam 27 and the dimple 43. Along with themovement of the magnetic head 31 of the head unit 29 away from the lowerface 41 by a given distance, the protrusion 75 comes in contact with theupper face 52 of the stationary part 95 of the flexure 28. Thereby, theprotrusion 75 can restrict the magnetic head 31 from moving away fromthe lower face 41 beyond the given distance. The given distance is anexemplary first distance.

In the HDD 10 of the fourth embodiment described above, the flexure 28includes the stationary part 95 fixed to the load beam 27; and thegimbal 56 that is connected to the stationary part 95 and is elasticallymovable with respect to the stationary part 95. The protrusion 75partially covers the upper face 52 on the stationary part 95 and comesin contact with the upper face 52 of the stationary part 95 along withthe movement of the magnetic head 31 away from the lower face 41 by agiven distance, thereby restricting the magnetic head 31 from movingfurther from the lower face 41 beyond the given distance. That is, theprotrusion 75 comes in contact with and is supported by the fixedportion of the flexure 28 to the load beam 27. With this configuration,the protrusion 75 can more reliably restrict the magnetic head 31 frommoving away from the lower face 41 beyond a given distance, as comparedwith the protrusion 75 supported by the gimbal 56 of the flexure 28.

The first to fourth embodiments have described the example that thelaser unit 32 includes the protrusion 75 and the restricting member 81serving as an exemplary first restrictor. However, the first restrictormay be included in another part of the head unit 29, such as themagnetic head 31. For example, the restricting member 81 may be attachedto the magnetic head 31.

The first to fourth embodiments additionally include the followingtechnical ideas:

[1] A disk device manufacturing method including:

allowing a heat-assister attached to a magnetic head to pass through ahole opening to a first face and a second face of a load beam, thesecond face opposite to the first face;

moving the magnetic head in a direction in which a protrusion protrudesfrom the heat-assister along the first face; and

attaching the magnetic head to a flexure while the protrusion partiallycovers the second face.

[2] A disk device manufacturing method including:

allowing a heat-assister to pass through a hole opening to a first faceand a second face of a load beam, the second face opposite to the firstface;

attaching the heat-assister to a magnetic head while a protrusion thatprotrudes from the heat-assister along the first face partially coversthe second face.

[3] A disk device manufacturing method including:

allowing a heat-assister to pass through a hole opening to a first faceand a second face of a load beam, the second face opposite to the firstface; and

attaching a restricting member to the heat-assister such that therestricting member partially covers the second face.

According to at least one of the first to fourth embodiments describedabove, the heat-assister is attached to the magnetic head for heatingthe magnetic disk. This increases the weight of the head unit includingthe magnetic head, and may make the head unit easily vibrate and moveapart from the first face when the disk device receives an impact. Inany of the embodiments, however, the head unit is provided with thefirst restrictor. If the magnetic head moves away from the first face bythe first distance, the first restrictor comes in contact with at leastone of the load beam and the flexure and thereby restricts the magnetichead from moving further from the first face beyond the first distance.That is, the head unit, which is likely to vibrate due to the added massof the heat-assister, includes the first restrictor serving to restrictthe head unit from vibrating beyond the first distance. This makes itpossible to avoid the magnetic head from moving away from the first facebeyond the given first distance in the heat assisted magnetic recording(HAMR) disk device including the heat-assister. That is, the magnetichead can be prevented from colliding with the opposing magnetic head,for example, leading to improving the impact resistance of the diskdevice.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments havebeen presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit thescope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described hereinmay be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, variousomissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodimentsdescribed herein may be made without departing from the spirit of theinventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intendedto cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope andspirit of the inventions.

What is claimed is:
 1. A disk device comprising: a magnetic disk; a loadbeam having a first face facing the magnetic disk; a flexure attached tothe first face; a head unit including: a magnetic head attached to theflexure, configured to read and write information from and to themagnetic disk, and a heat-assister attached to the magnetic head,configured to heat the magnetic disk; and a first restrictor configuredto come in contact with at least one of the load beam and the flexuresuch that the first restrictor restricts a movement of the magnetichead.
 2. The disk device according to claim 1, wherein the firstrestrictor is included in the head unit.
 3. The disk device according toclaim 1, wherein the load beam has a second face opposite the first faceand is provided with a hole opening to the first face and the secondface, the flexure has a third face facing the first face, theheat-assister is attached to the magnetic head such that theheat-assister passes through the hole, and the first restrictor isincluded in the heat-assister, and partially covers at least one of thesecond face and the third face.
 4. The disk device according to claim 3,wherein the heat-assister comprises: an outer shell; and an opticaldevice housed in the outer shell, configured to irradiate the magneticdisk with light, and the first restrictor protrudes from the outershell.
 5. The disk device according to claim 4, wherein the firstrestrictor protrudes from the outer shell in a first direction along thefirst face, and in the first direction, a total length of theheat-assister and the first restrictor is shorter than a length of thehole.
 6. The disk device according to claim 4, wherein the firstrestrictor protrudes from the outer shell in a first direction along thefirst face, and in the first direction, a total length of theheat-assister and the first restrictor is longer than a length of thehole, and the heat-assister is shorter in length than the hole.
 7. Thedisk device according to claim 3, wherein the heat-assister comprises:an outer shell; and an optical device housed in the outer shell,configured to irradiate the magnetic disk with light, and the firstrestrictor is attached to the outer shell.
 8. The disk device accordingto claim 3, wherein the first restrictor partially covers the secondface, and restricts the magnetic head from moving further from the firstface beyond a first distance by coming in contact with the second facealong with movement of the magnetic head away from the first face by thefirst distance.
 9. The disk device according to claim 3, wherein theflexure includes: a stationary part fixed to the load beam; and anelastic part connected to the stationary part and elastically movablewith respect to the stationary part, the magnetic head is attached tothe elastic part, and the first restrictor partially covers the thirdface of the stationary part, and restricts the magnetic head from movingfurther from the first face beyond a first distance by coming in contactwith the third face of the stationary part along with movement of themagnetic head away from the first face by the first distance.
 10. Thedisk device according to claim 1, further comprising a carriage that ismovable relative to the magnetic disk; wherein the load beam isconnected to the carriage at an end in a second direction along thefirst face, the magnetic head has a first end in the second directionand a second end in a third direction opposite to the second direction,and the heat-assister is attached to the magnetic head at a positioncloser to the second end than to the first end.
 11. The disk deviceaccording to claim 10, further comprising a second restrictor includedin the flexure and separated from the first restrictor in the seconddirection, the second restrictor that restricts the magnetic head frommoving further from the first face beyond a second distance by cominginto contact with at least one of the load beam and the flexure alongwith movement of the magnetic head away from the first face by thesecond distance.
 12. A disk device comprising: a magnetic disk; a loadbeam having a first face facing the magnetic disk, a flexure attached tothe first face, a magnetic head attached to the flexure, configured toread and write information from and to the magnetic disk; and aheat-assister configured to heat the magnetic disk, the heat-assistercomprising: a base that extends in an extending direction intersectingthe first face, and a protrusion that protrudes from the base in aprotruding direction intersecting the extending direction and thatpartially covers at least one of the load beam and the flexure in theextending direction.
 13. The disk device according to claim 12, whereinthe load beam is provided with a hole opening to the first face, and thebase passes through the hole.
 14. The disk device according to claim 13,wherein of the heat-assister, a part including the protrusion has alarger cross-sectional area orthogonal to the extending direction than apart passing through the hole.
 15. The disk device according to claim12, wherein the base is attached to the magnetic head such that the baseextends from the magnetic head in the extending direction.